Someone had recently asked in the comments about the Sip ‘n Dip, the bar downtown that had the mermaids behind the bar. I was going to look up and see if it was still open…it was the last time I was home, but it has been almost five years since I have been back (much, much too long). As it had crossed my mind again this morning when I replied to another comment, I had a link for the Sip ‘n Dip come across my Facebook page! Yay! After I graduated from high school, I lived two blocks away from the Sip ‘n Dip and the O’Haire Motor Inn. They had a great tile graphic on the 1st Avenue South side of the building I loved…so retro.
It was wonderful to see it still open and thriving! The Sip ‘n Dip had been named the #1 Bar in the World by GQ Magazine back in 2003….wow! I remember when I was a kid, I would walk from downtown to my aunt’s place, about three blocks on the other side of the O’Haire, and seeing air crews from the airport come to check in. Hanging out at the swankiest places and thinking how cool it was they had the bar with the mermaids. I’m glad to see they are still making Great Falls great!
The O'Haire Motor Inn and the Sip 'n Dip in the 1960's
Their link to like them on Facebook is here. A little more information about them, from their website:
The legendary Sip-N-Dip Tiki Lounge… Named the #1 bar on earth by GQ Magazine!
Of all the nightspots on the planet, the good folks at GQ Magazine (April 2003) selected the Sip-N-Dip Lounge as the #1 bar on earth!
A long-time favorite of local residents, the Sip-N-Dip is now receiving international acclaim.
The most unique feature of this lounge is the glass wall between the bar and the swimming pool. Watch swimmers under water while you sip your beverage. You never know who might turn up! Even the original mermaid herself — Darryl Hannah’s been seen in there!
Enjoy your favorite beverage and good conversation with friends. Or, if you’re in the mood, try your luck at our gaming machines.
Join us for live piano bar entertainment with Piano-Pat Spoonheim, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 p.m. ‘til 1:30 a.m. From June to September, soak up the sunshine on our outdoor patio, complete with a full-bar.
Things I Miss About Home....Great Falls, Montana 
WOOHOO! Yep – the legendary Sip-N-Dip is still going strong – and so is Piano Pat!
Hey – you’re way overdue for a visit back to your hometown!
By: david on May 19, 2011
at 5:42 am
Thanks David! Yeah, I really need to get back there, and bring my cooler so I can fill it up with Borrie’s ravioli and spagetti sauce to bring back out to the midwest. I sure enjoy and appreciate your website!
By: greatfallsgirl on May 19, 2011
at 7:33 am
[…] – Great Falls Girl doesn’t post often, but when she does, it’s always worth a read. She’s a GF native who currently lives out of state; her blog title says it all: Thing I Miss About . Her latest topics: her old neighborhood in Fox Farm, and the legendary Sip-n-Dip Lounge! […]
By: Lots Of Stuff! | Greater Falls! on May 19, 2011
at 6:12 pm
Oh My. I’ve got goosebumps! When I was in grade school I went to a swim birthday party at the Sip & Dip. We would swim down & make faces at the people in the bar! I tell my teenagers about this place and they are convinced that Great Falls is strangest place. It is! Strange and wonderful.
By: Connie on March 4, 2012
at 6:16 am
I just your posts, brought back so many memories and touched allmost all my favs, I also went to Largent, what year and which high school did you grad?
By: Lori Duffy Gach on June 28, 2013
at 2:03 am
It has been 100 the last few days in Great Falls. I went looking for a picture of the old Frosty’s Ice Cream Trucks. Wow you have several, perhaps you would want to join the Remember Great Falls Facebook and share some of your pictures there. A native I worked at KRTV doing weather before retiring a year and a half ago. I have been sharing my photos with them and you could to! Fred Pfeiffer
https://www.facebook.com/groups/greatfalls/581636351858128/?notif_t=group_activity
By: Fred Pfeiffer on July 3, 2013
at 7:36 pm
My mom worked at the Sip n Dip in the late 50 early 60s as a waitress….my brother and I used to swim in the pool also.
By: Joni (Bateman) Evans on June 16, 2020
at 6:55 pm